exercise excessive caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise excessive caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to be very careful or to take extra precautions in a particular situation. Example: "Given the unpredictable weather conditions, we must exercise excessive caution while driving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This will decrease the deterrence of the law (as a result of people knowing that it is now easier to get away with harmful acts) and reduce its chilling effect (people will be less likely to exercise excessive caution and refrain from engaging in benign acts for fear of having sanctions mistakenly imposed on them).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After an October 2011 meeting between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and media owners about how to cover "news on terror," mainstream TV outlets were cowed and began to exercise excessive editorial caution.

The New York Times

"I view this as post-Enron excessive caution," he said.

The New York Times

Excessive caution may lead to boardroom and compliance stagnation.

The New York Times

Caution should be exercised as excessive use of triptans can cause medication overuse headache syndrome.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

She advised him to exercise more caution.

The New York Times - Sports

Exercise extreme caution at all times.

The New York Times - Travel

He failed to exercise due caution".

The New York Times

It is important to return to exercise with caution.

The Guardian

One must, however, exercise some caution here.

SEP

Shipping and small craft were told to exercise "extreme caution".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise excessive caution", ensure the context warrants a higher degree of carefulness than usual. Consider if "exercise caution" or "take extreme care" is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise excessive caution" in situations where simple carefulness suffices. Overstating the need for caution can undermine your message and come across as alarmist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise excessive caution" functions as a directive, urging the listener or reader to be extremely careful. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in English. The inclusion of "excessive" amplifies the degree of caution advised.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise excessive caution" is a grammatically correct phrase used to strongly advise carefulness in situations involving potential risks. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, its appearance in news articles, scientific publications, and wikis suggests a broad applicability. The phrase serves as a directive to heighten vigilance and mitigate potential dangers. Alternatives like "take extraordinary precautions" offer similar meanings, while awareness of overuse prevents diluting its impact. Remember to apply this phrase judiciously, reserving it for circumstances that genuinely warrant an elevated level of care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take extraordinary precautions

Uses "precautions" instead of "caution", and "extraordinary" emphasizes a high degree of care.

be exceedingly careful

Replaces "exercise caution" with "be careful" and "excessive" with "exceedingly" for similar emphasis.

proceed with extreme vigilance

Substitutes "caution" with "vigilance" and "excessive" with "extreme", focusing on alertness.

apply utmost prudence

Replaces "exercise caution" with "apply prudence" and intensifies with "utmost".

show exceptional attentiveness

Focuses on being highly attentive as a means of exercising caution.

adopt a hyper-vigilant approach

Highlights an extremely alert and watchful strategy.

err on the side of caution

Suggests a general inclination towards cautious behavior.

take no chances

Emphasizes risk aversion, implying a strong need for caution.

play it safe

Indicates avoiding risks and being cautious in one's actions.

look before you leap

A proverb advising careful consideration before acting.

FAQs

What does "exercise excessive caution" mean?

To "exercise excessive caution" means to be extremely careful and take more precautions than might usually be necessary in a given situation. It implies a heightened awareness of potential risks and a deliberate effort to avoid them.

When is it appropriate to use "exercise excessive caution"?

Use "exercise excessive caution" when facing situations with significant, but perhaps not immediately obvious, risks. For example, it's suitable when handling hazardous materials or navigating complex legal matters.

What can I say instead of "exercise excessive caution"?

You can use alternatives like "take extraordinary precautions", "be exceedingly careful", or "proceed with extreme vigilance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "exercise caution" different from "exercise excessive caution"?

"Exercise caution" implies a general need to be careful. "Exercise excessive caution", on the other hand, suggests a situation requiring a much higher degree of vigilance and precaution due to heightened risks or potential consequences.